Dilip Kumar Death: 10 Best Movies, Controversies & Lesser-Known Facts

Bollywood legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who passed away today morning, was one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema. He showed up on screen in his six decades career. His filmography contains unforgettable films that have perpetually lit the Indian cinema.

10 Best Movies of Dilip Kumar

His first and last movies were Jwar Bhata (1944) and Qila (1988). Here are some of his list of best movies, lesser-known facts, and more!

1. Daag (1952)

Daag is a Bollywood romantic drama movie produced and directed by Amiya Chakravarty in 1952. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nimmi, and Lalita Pawar in lead roles, and the music is composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Dilip Kumar won the first Filmfare Award in the Best Actor category for his outstanding performance in this movie. The movie declared a hit.

2. Devdas (1955)

Devdas is a Bollywood movie directed by Bimal Roy in 1955, in view of Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Devdas. The movie had Dilip Kumar in the lead role, Vyjayanthimala in her first sensational role, where she played mistress named Chandramukhi and Suchitra Sen in her Bollywood debut as Parvati 'Paro.'

3. Naya Daur (1957)

Naya Daur is a Bollywood romantic drama movie directed and produced by B. R. Chopra in 1957. It was composed by Akhtar Mirza, and stars Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, with Ajit Khan and Jeevan in supporting roles.

4. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

Mughal-e-Azam is a Bollywood epic historical drama movie directed by K. Asif and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji in 1960. Featuring Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Durga Khote, and Dilip Kumar, it follows the relationship between Mughal Prince Salim, who proceeded to become Emperor Jahangir, and Anarkali, a court dancer.

5. Madhumati (1958)

Madhumati is a Bollywood paranormal romantic movie directed and produced by Bimal Roy in 1958 and composed by Ritwik Ghatak and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The film stars Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala in lead roles, with Pran and Johnny Walker in supporting roles.

6. Ganga Jamna (1961)

Ganga Jamna is a Bollywood crime drama movie, composed and produced by Dilip Kumar himself, and directed by Nitin Bose in 1961, with dialogues composed by Wajahat Mirza. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, and Nasir Khan in the lead roles.

7. Ram Aur Shyam (1967)

Ram Aur Shyam is a Bollywood comedy-drama movie directed by Tapi Chanakya in 1967. It stars Dilip Kumar in a double role as twins separated at birth, alongside Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Nirupa Roy, and Pran. The movie featured music composed by Naushad, with lyrics composed by Shakeel Badayuni. Ram Aur Shyam ended up being a motivation to different "twins-separated-at-birth" movies such as Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), ChaalBaaz (1989), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), and Gopi Kishan (1994).

8. Shakti (1982)

Shakti is a Bollywood crime drama movie, directed by Ramesh Sippy, composed by the Salim–Javed, and produced by Mushir-Riaz in 1982. It stars Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Smita Patil, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Amrish Puri. Shakti was eminent for being the solitary film to include veteran actors like Dilip Kumar and Bachchan together on screen. Considered to be one of the best movies throughout the entire history of Indian film industry, it proceeded to win four Filmfare Awards, for Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, and Best Actor for Kumar.

9. Mashaal (1984)

Mashaal is a Bollywood action film, produced and directed by Yash Chopra in 1984. It starred Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Anil Kapoor, and Rati Agnihotri.

10. Karma (1986)

Karma is a Bollywood action movie directed by Subhash Ghai in 1986. The movie featuring an ensemble cast such as Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, and Anupam Kher. The movie reunites Subhash Ghai and Dilip Kumar after the success of their last film together Vidhaata (1982).

Lesser-Known Facts about Dilip Kumar

• Dilip Kumar was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar, which is presently in Pakistan.

• In the 1940s, he left his home in Mumbai subsequent to having an argument with his father. He moved to Pune and set up a sandwich stall at the military club. Subsequent to having invested some time, and saving about Rs 5000, he got back to his home in Mumbai.

• He married Saira Banu in 1966. She was 22 years younger than him. He refused to work with her reasoning that she would look a lot younger to him. Strangely, he fell in love with her and proposed to her for marriage.

• He married a woman named Asma Rehman in 1981, whom he met during a cricket match but the marriage did not last for more than two years.

• He was appointed as the Sheriff of Bombay by the Governor of Maharashtra in1979-1982.

• He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-most elevated non-military personnel award, for his contributions to the world of Indian cinema.

• In 1994, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

• He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-most elevated non-military personnel grant in 2015.

Dilip Kumar Controversies

One of the lesser-known controversies of the veteran actor was that he married a woman named Asma Rehman in 1981, whom he met during a cricket match but the marriage did not last for more than two years.

Now, he will remain forever in everybody's heart and will be missed in the Indian cinema.

Also Read: Veteran Actor Dilip Kumar passes away at the Age of 98